Package binding machine



Feb. 25, 1958 E. c. HoYER 2,824,511

PACKAGE BINDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1NVENTOR V BY ff.

/ ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1958 E. c. HOYER PACKAGE BINDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1955 ATTORNEY United States Patent PACKAGE BINDING MACHINE Ernest C. Hoyer, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 491,094

7 Claims. (Cl. 100-31) This invention relates to machines for binding packages such as crates, cartons, bundles and the like, with metal straps formed of round or flat wire, and has as its `primary object the provision of a mounting for a conventional manually operated strapping machine together with a package support whereby manipulation of the machine and package in effecting the strapping operation will be greatly facilitated with resultant saving of time and minimized effort.

A particular object is to provide a combined strapping machine mounting and package support wherein proper relative positioning of the machine and the package being bound may be easily and quickly effected, particularly where strapping is to be applied both longitudinally and transversely of the package, the invention contemplating swinging and pivoting of the strapping machine horizontally over the package to present the strap either in the direction of the length or of the width of the package.

' Another 'object is to provide a mounting of the above character which is so supported that it may be readily shifted to present the strapping machine and bundle in various positions to the station of the operator, and also be adjusted to dispose the strapping machine at various levels so that it may be located at a height most convenient to the reach and comfort of the operator.

A further` object is to provide adjustment Ymeans whereby the package support may be adapted to dispose packages of various dimensions in proper relation to the strapping machine.

With the foregoing objects in view together'with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofthe strapping machine mounting and package support as seen'from above and to one side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure depicted in Fig. l showing the adjustable support therefor;

` Figs. \3, y4 and 5 are diagrams in plan illustrating the mode of operation of the invention and depicting the manner in which the strapping machine can be disposed in various positions on its mounting;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a package as bound with longitudinal and transverse straps by means of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a detail in section taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings more specifically A indicates a tubular standard fitted with a base B, and C designates a column which is turnablly supported in the standard A and with its upper end portion projecting upwardly therefrom.

Rigidly mounted on the upper end of the column C is a horizontally extending panel D having a smooth at upper surface affording a bearing for a conventional strapping machine E which embodies a base 7 slidably seated on the panel D and adapted to be moved to various positions thereon.

The base 7 has a projecting forward end portion a on which is carried the usual strapping guide and engaging element b whereby the free end portion of a strap c is held in a position extending laterally of the base 7 or subsequent intertwisted engagement with another por tion of the strap in effecting a strapping operation in the usual manner. The machine E also embodies the usual twisting mechanism d actuated by a hand lever e normally extended rearwardly of the machine and which lever is pulled forward in effecting the twisting operation in the well known manner.

The base 7 also has a projecting rear end portion f which, in carrying out the invention, is connected by a pivot pin g to one end of a straight toggle link 8 which in turn is connected at its other end by a pivot pin h to one end of a companion toggle link 9 the other end of which is pivotally connected to a pivot pin j on the upper end of the column C axiallythereof. The strapping machine E is thus mounted for pivotal movement on the outer end of the assembly of toggle links 8 9 so that its forward end a may be presented in overhanging relation to either of the opposed side margins k and l of the panel D or its outer end m and is also slidably shiftable on the panel D in any direction within the limitations imposed by the toggle link assembly. The strapping machine is thus mounted for restricted universal movement on the plane of its supporting panel and is also capable of bodily rotation around a vertical axis.

A resistance to free shifting movement of the strapping machine is afforded by its frictional engagement with the top surface of the panel D which serves to maintain the strapping machine stationary in any of its adjusted positions on the panel D until it is pushed or pulled by the operator out of such position.

Mounted on the column C for adjustment longitudinally thereof is a package support` comprising a table F which is ai'ixed to a sleeve 10 slidably encompassing the column C but normally held against movement thereon in various adjusted positions by means of a pin 11 passed through the sleeve and engaged with any one of a series of vertically spaced holes 12 formed in the column. The table F and panel D are superimposed relative to each other with the panel D overlying the table F in such spaced relation thereto that the upper side of a package G seated on the table F will extend proximate the underside'of the panel D as indicated in' dotted lines in Fig. 2, the table F being moved up or down on the column C to whatever position is necessary according to the height of the package to be strapped and, as above stated, is xed in the selected position by engaging the pin 11 in one of the holes 12.

In the operation of the invention, the package G to be strapped is imposed on the table Fl and supported thereon with its marginal portions protruding from the margins of the table F and panel D which latter are positioned to extend from the column C in a direction such as to present the side or end of the package carried thereby toward the operators station, which is effected by turning the column C on the standard A.

For example, to strap one side portion of the package, the panel D and table F with the package G therebetween are positioned to extend to the right of the column C as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the strapping machine E is positioned with its front end presented to the operator and overhanging the margin k of the panel D and projecting therefrom whatever distance is required to align the strap c with the selected portion of the bundle around which the strap is to be wrapped. The strap c where engaged by the machine E, then extends substantially parallelrwith the then front margin k of the panel D as indicated in Fig. 3. The strap c is wrapped around the package and engaged with the machine E which is then operated by manually advancing the lever e to effect the strapping operation in the usual manner. A strap n will then be wrapped around the package adjacent one side thereof as illustrated in Fig. 6. On completion of this operation, the panel D and table F are swung collectively to present the outer ends thereof toward the operator and at the same time the machine E is shifted on the panel D to present its front end toward the operator in overhanging relation to the end margin m of the panel D as shown in Fig. 4; whereupon the strap c and machine E are manipulated to bind the protruding end portion of the package G and form a strap o thereon as shown in Fig. 6. On completion of this operation the assemblage is swung to extend to the left of the column C with the front end of the machine E presented toward the operator and overhanging the margin l of the panel D as shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the strap c and machine E are manipulated to bind the other side portion of the package G by wrapping a strap p around the package lengthwise thereof.

Where it is desired to bind the other end portion of the package the assemblage is returned to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4 with the package reversed end to end and the strapping operation effected as before to provide a strap q adjacent the other end of the package.

It will be seen from the foregoing that by pivoting the column C, the panelD and table F may be readily disposed in whatever position relative to the operator as may be most convenient according to whatever portion of the package is to be strapped, and that the strapping machine may also be readily disposed on its mounting with its forward end presented toward the operator irrespective of the position of the mounting.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that on positioning the package on the table F in readiness for strapping, further handling or moving of the package by the operator will not be required until completion of the strapping operation except where both ends of the package are to be strapped in which event the package is merely turned end for end on the table.

On completion of the strapping operation the package is of course removed from the table which conditions the structure in readiness for another operation.

I claim:

l. In a combined strapping machine mounting and package support, a standard, a column pivoted on said standard having an upper end portion protruding from said standard, a package receiving table carried on the protruding portion of said column, a panel xed on the upper end of said column overlying said table in spaced relation thereto, said panel having a smooth upper surface adapted to slidably support a strapping machine, andv means for pivotally and linkably connecting a strapping machine on said panel for movement over said surface.

2. The structure called for in claimV 1V together with means for supporting said table on said column in various spaced relations to said panel.

3. In a combined strapping machine mounting and package support embodying a column, a package receiving table carried on said column, a strapping machine supporting panel carried on said column in overlying upwardly spaced relation to said table; a strapping machine slidably mounted for horizontal movement on said panel for positioning thereon with its forward end protruding from either of the opposed side margins or the outer end of said panel, said machine being moveable universally on the plane of said panel, and a pair of longitudinally united toggle links connecting the rear end of said machine relative to said panel limiting the extent of horizontal movement of said machine over said panel.

4. In a combined strapping machine mounting and package support embodying a column, a package receiving table carried on said column, a strapping machine supporting panel carried on said column in overlying upwardly spaced relation to said table; a strapping machine slidably mounted for horizontal movement on said panel for positioning thereon with its forward end protruding from either of the opposed side margins or the outer end of said panel, said machine being moveable universally on the plane of said panel, a horizontal toggle-link pivotally connected to the rear end of said strapping machine whereby said machine may be swung bodily around'a vertical axis, a companion toggle link having one end pivoted to said rst named toggle-link and having its other endpivoted relative to said panel; said links limiting the extent of horizontal movement of said machine over said panel.

5. In` a combined strapping machine mounting and` package support, a turnable column, a package supporting table on said column, a strapping machine carrying panel on said column overlying said table in spaced relation thereto; a bolt extending through said panel and engaging the upper end of said column, and a pair of connected toggle-links overlying said panel one of which is pivotally connected at its outer end to said bolt and the other of which is` adapted to be pivotally connected to a strapping machine mounted on said panel.

6. The structure called for in claim 5 together with means for connecting said table to said column in various spaced relations to said panel.

7. A` strapping machine'mounting comprising a horizontally extending panel having a smooth flat upper surface, a link pivoted at one end adjacent one end of said panel and overlying the upper surface of the latter, a second link pivoted at one end to said rst named link in horizontal swinging relation thereto, and a pivot on the outer end off said second link adapted to be engaged with a strapping machine freely seated on said panel to serve as a connection on which the strapping machine is turnable around'a vertical axis.

References'C-ited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,391,326'A Gerrard et a1. sept. 27, 19'21 1,859,375 Tenuta May 24, 1932 2,666,381 Sherman et al Jan. 19, 1954 

